Peninsula Clarion Contributor

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Bird Homestead Golf Report: Soaking in gorgeous weather

Bird Homestead Golf Course has been in particularly great condition and the weather has been absolutely gorgeous. Take the nice, scenic 12-mile drive down Funny… Continue reading

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Bird Homestead Golf Report: The drive before the drives

The Last Frontier is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Here on the Kenai Peninsula we have a hidden treasure 12 miles down… Continue reading

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A moose browsing on birch on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo by Colin Canterbury/FWS)

Refuge Notebook: Moose and pizza: A matter of taste?

Special note from Kris Inman, refuge supervisory wildlife biologist: From time to time, we look back at previous articles, and this article stood out at… Continue reading

A moose browsing on birch on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo by Colin Canterbury/FWS)
A brown bear. (Photo by Tim Bowman/USFWS)

Refuge Notebook: Drilling down into bear dentition — A (safe) look into the mouth of Alaska’s bears

What comes to mind when you think of bears? Smokey? Losing the playoffs? What about teeth? Whether you’re hunting, fishing, hiking or just outside taking… Continue reading

A brown bear. (Photo by Tim Bowman/USFWS)
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Bird Homestead Golf Report: Senior tees are in

Jeff Gilman and his crew have been hard at work and even put in senior tee boxes, one of the only courses in Alaska with… Continue reading

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Pollen collects on the beak of a female rufous hummingbird and is transferred from flower to flower. (Photo by T. Eskelin, USFWS)

Refuge Notebook: Only warm-blooded pollinator on peninsula has wings, will travel

This past weekend I participated in the Summer Hummingbird Days event hosted by the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. It was a great event focusing on… Continue reading

Pollen collects on the beak of a female rufous hummingbird and is transferred from flower to flower. (Photo by T. Eskelin, USFWS)
There are two photos of Mystery Creek plots burned by Swan Lake. This plot was only burned by the Swan Lake Fire and has blackened duff with variable depth of burn, low shrubs resprouting from surviving roots, and other plants seeded in since the fire. Photos were taken in 2021.

Refuge Notebook: Swan Lake Fire — A burn severity story

If you live in Southcentral Alaska, there’s a good chance you’ve driven or hiked through the 2019 Swan Lake Fire. If you’re like me, maybe… Continue reading

There are two photos of Mystery Creek plots burned by Swan Lake. This plot was only burned by the Swan Lake Fire and has blackened duff with variable depth of burn, low shrubs resprouting from surviving roots, and other plants seeded in since the fire. Photos were taken in 2021.
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Bird Homestead Golf Report: Golfers enjoy incredible weather

It has been an amazing past few days with our gorgeous weather. The course has been coming along beautifully, Jeff Gillman and Curtis Larrow have… Continue reading

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Soldotna starter Atticius Gibson fires a pitch during Palmer's 5-1 win over Soldotna during the Southcentral Conference title game Friday, May 27, 2022, at Redington Jr./Sr. High School in Wasilla, Alaska. (Photo by Jeremiah Bartz/Frontiersman)

Palmer baseball topples SoHi for Southcentral crown

During a pair of regular season starts against Soldotna this season, Palmer standout pitcher Landon Guggenmos was tagged with a couple of tough luck losses.… Continue reading

Soldotna starter Atticius Gibson fires a pitch during Palmer's 5-1 win over Soldotna during the Southcentral Conference title game Friday, May 27, 2022, at Redington Jr./Sr. High School in Wasilla, Alaska. (Photo by Jeremiah Bartz/Frontiersman)
A Kenai River fisherman and his mother celebrate a successful catch. (Photo by Boo Kandas)

Refuge Notebook: Kenai River, the river that does it all

I did not fully appreciate the recent history of the Kenai River and surrounding watershed until I read Shana Loushbaugh’s thesis, “The history of land… Continue reading

A Kenai River fisherman and his mother celebrate a successful catch. (Photo by Boo Kandas)
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Being content with what you don’t know

How’s your negative capability doing?

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Three Girl Scouts from Troop 210 hold their first Bucket Tree after finishing construction with the help of Davis Block employees. (Photo by Leah Eskelin)

Refuge Notebook: A bucket list for summer

There’s a perfect marshmallow just waiting for you this summer at the end of a stick. Toasty in the glowing coals of your campfire, this… Continue reading

Three Girl Scouts from Troop 210 hold their first Bucket Tree after finishing construction with the help of Davis Block employees. (Photo by Leah Eskelin)
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Bird Homestead Golf Report: Course rounds into shape

The weather has been great and the course is looking beautiful. It is the perfect time to drive the 15-minute drive down Funny River Road… Continue reading

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Minister’s Message: Has spring sprung in your life?

Christ also offers us an eternal springtime of love, hope and life

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Paved sidewalks are trails are maintained at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, after the partial government shutdown ended on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Refuge Notebook: Be nice to nettles!

Editor’s note: This article first appeared May 14, 2004, and is reprinted with minor edits. Spring has arrived in full force, and it’s time to… Continue reading

Paved sidewalks are trails are maintained at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, after the partial government shutdown ended on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Alex Koplin is a founding member of Kenai Peninsula Votes. (courtesy photo)

Voices of the Peninsula: 1 candidate dined, 47 to go

By Alex Koplin Last month, I wrote a satirical piece for the Peninsula Clarion about how I research candidates. I went on to say that… Continue reading

Alex Koplin is a founding member of Kenai Peninsula Votes. (courtesy photo)
Smoke from the Swan Lake Fire impairs visibility on the Sterling Highway on Aug. 20, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Opinion: Alaskans should prepare for wildfire season

Several past large fire seasons followed snowy winters or unusually rainy springs

Smoke from the Swan Lake Fire impairs visibility on the Sterling Highway on Aug. 20, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Meredith Harber (courtesy)

Minister’s Message: Spread love in these challenging times

I don’t know about you all, but the world feels pretty rough these days

Meredith Harber (courtesy)
A hiker takes in the view of Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo by Joseph Suarez/USFWS)

Refuge Notebook: Let’s go! Camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, EVERYTHING!

Do you feel it? A hum of anticipation has been getting stronger and stronger as the snow piles melted down smaller and smaller into muddy… Continue reading

A hiker takes in the view of Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo by Joseph Suarez/USFWS)
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Minister’s Message: It’s all about love

Love is a daily, moment-by-moment action that we choose to be a part of or not.

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